Notes on Human Hormones

Properties of hormones
(a) These are secreted by endocrine gland (biogenic in origin).
(b) Their secretions is released directly into blood (except local hormones e.g. gastrin).
(c) These are carried to distantly locate specific organs, called target organ.
(d) These have specific physiological action (excitatory or inhibatory). These co-ordinate
different physical, mental and metabolic activities and maintain homeostasis.
(e) The hormones have low molecular weight e.g. ADH has a molecular weight of 600–2000
daltons.
(f) These act in very low concentration e.g. around10–10 molar.
(g) Hormones are non antigenic.
(h) These are mostly short-lived. So have a no camulative effect.
(i) Some hormones are quick acting e.g. adrenalin, while some acting slowly e.g. ostrogen of
ovary.
(j) Some hormones secreted in inactive form called Prohormone e.g. Pro-insulin.
(k) Hormones are specific. They are carriers of specific information to their specific target organ.
Only those target cell respond to a particular hormone for which they have receptors.

Origin of different endocrine glands

Endocrine glands Weight Origin

Pituitary 0.5 gm Ectoderm

Pineal 5.0 mg Ectoderm

Thymus (up to 12 yrs.) 20.0 gm Mesoderm

Thyroid 25.0 gm Endoderm

Parathyroid 20.0 mg Endoderm

Adrenal cortex 4.0 gm Mesoderm

Adrenal medulla 1.0 gm Ectoderm

Testes – Mesoderm

Ovary – Mesoderm

Pancrease 60.0 gm Endoderm

Pituitary Gland (Hypophysis)

(1) Pituitory is known as hypophysis cerebri, its name pituitary was given by vesalius.
 Notes on Human Hormones

(2) Muller’s gland of amphioxus and subneural gland of hardmania is homologous to pituitary of
vertebrates.

Parts and component

(1) Adenohypophysis (Anterior lobe)
(i) Pars distalis
(ii) Pars tuberalis
(iii) Pars intermedia
(2) Neurohypophysis (Posterior lobe)
(i) Pars nervosa
(ii) Infundibulum

Hypothalamus
(i) Position and Structure: Hypothalamus is the floor of diencephalon. It is formed of masses of
grey matter, called hypothalmic nuclei, containing neurosecretory cells. It is connected with
anterior pituitary lobe by blood capillaries of hypophyseal portal system and with the posterior
pituitary lobe by axons of its neurons, both passing through the pituitary stalk.
(ii) Hormones of hypothalamus: Neurosecretory cells of hypothalamus secrete neurohormones
called releasing factors (RF) or inhibiting factors (IF). These neurohormones are carried by
hypophyseal portal system to adenohypophysis (primary target organ) and stimulate or inhibit
the release of trophic hormones from adenohypophysis. These neurohormones are proteinous in
nature and formed of 3 – 20 amino acids.
Neurohormones of Adenohypophysis
Neurohormones Physiological effects

(1) TSH-RF

(Thyroid Stimulating Hormone – Releasing Factor) Increased ACTH secretion from

adenohypophysis.
 Notes on Human Hormones

(2) ACTH-RF

(Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone-Releasing Factor) Increased ACTH secretion from

adenohypophysis.

(3) STH-RF

(Somatotrophic Hormone-Releasing Factor) Increased STH secretion from adenohypophysis

(4) SOMATOSTATIN (GROWTH INHIBITING Decreased STH secretion from adenohypophysis.

HORMONE)

(5) GTH-RF

(Gonadotrophic Hormone-Releasing Factor)

(i) FSH-RF

(Follicular Stimulating Hormone-Releasing Factor) Increased FSH secretion from adenohypophysis.

(ii) LH-RH (In female)

(Luteinising Hormone – Releasing Factor) Increased LH secretion from adenohypophysis.

or ICSH-RF (In male)

(Interstitial Cells stimulating Hormone-Releasing

Factor)

(6) Prolactin-Releasing hormone (P-RH) Increased secretion of prolactin or leutotrophic

hormone.

(7) Prolactin-Inhibiting hormone (P-IH) Increased secretion of prolactin or leutotrophic

hormone.

(8) MSH-RF

(Melanophore Stimulating Hormone-Releasing Increased MSH secretion from intermediate

Factor) pituitary lobe.

(9) MIF

(Melanophore Inhibiting Factor) Decreased MSH secretion from intermediate

pituitary lobe.

Thyroid gland
(1) The name "thyroid" was introduced by Thomas Wharton (1656).
(2) It is derived from Greek "Thyreos" a shield.
 Notes on Human Hormones

(3) Location: This is the largest endocrine gland of our body. It is located in our neck upon the
ventral aspect of larynx (sound box or Adam's apple) and a few anterior most tracheal rings. It is
a dark brown and H-shaped bilobed gland.
(4) Hormones of thyroid:
Thyroid gland secretes two iodinated hormones.
(a) Thyroxine: It is an iodine containing (6% iodine) amine hormone which is derived from
tyrosine amino acid. Chemically thyroxine is tetraidothyronine though also found as tri-
iodothyronine. Secretion of thyroxine is inversely proportional to the blood level of thyroxine
(feedback mechanism).
(b) Thyrocalcitonin (TCT): It is a long peptide hormone secreted by parafollicular by cells of
thyroid gland (C-cells). It secretion is regulated by increased plasma level of calcium by
feedback mechanism.
(5) Irregularities of thyroid gland
(a) Hypothyroidism: (Decreased section of thyroxine from thyroid gland).
(b) Hypersecretion of thyroid hormones (Hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis) : This may
also be a genetic defect, but usually it is provided by chronic infections (influenza, rheumatism,
tonsilitis, tuberculosis, measles, whooping cough, etc.) pregnancy, intake of large doses of
iodine, over-eating, etc. It results into a considerable increase in glucose and oxygen
consumption by cells and the rate of oxidative metabolism in the mitochondria.
Parathyroid gland
(1) Hormones of parathyroid: Active hormone secreted by parathyroids is parathormone
(PTH), also called Collip's Hormone (Phillips collip, 1925).
(2) Irregularities of parathormones
(a) Hypoparathyroidism (Hyposecretion of parathormone)
(b) Hyperparathyroidism (Hypersecretion of parathormone)

Pancreas
(1) Hormones of pancreas and their role:
(a) Insulin: Insulin regulates how the body uses and stores glucose and fat.
Difference between diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipedus
S.No. Diabetes mellitus Diabetes insipidus

1. It is due to deficiency of insulin. It is due to deficiency of ADH.

2. The blood sugar becomes high and glucose The blood glucose is normal and glucose does
appears in urine. not appear in urine.

3. There is high blood cholesterol and ketone There is no such phenomenon.

body formation.
(b) Glucagon: This is secreted by the alpha cells of islets of Langerhans. Its function is to
elevate glucose level in blood when glucose is deficient.
(c) Somatostatin and Pancreatic polypeptide: Modern physiologists have postulated that the d
and F (PP) cells of pancreas respectively secrete somatostatin (SS) and pancreatic polypeptide
 Notes on Human Hormones

(PP). Somatostatin resembles the growth hormone inhibitory hormone (GHIH) secreted by
hypothalamus.
Thymus gland
(1) Function of thymus glands
(a) Thymus is haemopoietic, as well as, an endocrine gland.
(b) The major function of thymus is to secrete thymosin hormone, thymic humoral factor (THF),
thymic factor (TF), thymopoietin.
(c) Thymus is essential in neonatal (newly born) infant and postnatal child for normal
development of lymphoid organs and cellular immunity.

Gonads
(1) The gonads are the sex glands, the testes and the ovary.
(i) Testes
The testis form part of the male reproductive system, and is the gland where sperm and
testosterone are produced.
Functions of Testes
(a) It stimulates the male reproductive system to grow to full size and become functional.
(b) It stimulates the formation of sperms (spermatogenesis) in the seminiferous tubules.
(c) It also determines the male sexual behaviour sex urge, aggressive behaviour.
(d) Under its effect protein anabolism increases.
(ii) Ovary:
The ovary is a ductless reproductive gland in which the female reproductive cells are produced.
List of hormones their chemical nature and functions
Name of endocrine gland Name of hormone and Functions
its chemical nature
(1) Neurosecretory cells of (1) Oxytocin and vasopressin (1) Milk ejection and
Hypothalamus (Supraoptic Nucleus nanopeptide. parturition (oxytocic effect).
and Paraventricular Nucleus)
(2) Vasoconstriction and
antidiuretic (vasotocin)
effects.

(2) Gonadotropin releasing hormones Stimulates FSH and LH

sysnthesis.

(3) Other releasing Stimulate TSH, MSH,

hormones e.g.TSHRH, MSHRH, ACTH GH secretions from
ACTHRH, GHRH etc. Proteinaceous pituitary.
 Notes on Human Hormones
(2) Pituitary
(a) Neurohypophysis
(Pass Nervosa)
(b) Adenohypehypsis
(contains diverse cell types)
(3) Pineal
(4) Thyroid gland (amine hormone) (a) Thyroxine, iodinated amino acid
having – NH2 group)
(5) Parathyroid gland
(6) Thymus
(7) Islets of lengerhans
(= Endocrine pancrease)
(i) a-cells
(ii) b-cells
(iii) d-cells
(8) Adrenal gland
(a) Adrenal medulla
(Amine hormone have – NH2)
(b) Adrenal cortex
(9) Ovary
Store and release Oxytocin and
Vasopressin.
Proteincaceous or glycoprotein
Melatonin-derived from the amino acid (1) Antagonist to FSH / LH
tyrosine
called tyrosine (T2, T3, T4).
(b) Thyrocalcitonin (Peptide)
Parathormane, Peptide
Thymosine (polypeptide)
(i) Glucagon
(ii) Insulin
(iii) Secretin
Isolated by banting polypeptide
(a) Catecholamines (epinephrine =
adrenaline, and norepinephrine =
noradrenaline (derived from tyrosine)
(b) Mineralcorticoids and
glucocorticoids and traces of androgen
and estrogen steroids derived from
cholesterol
Estrogen (Steroid)
Hormone release is related
to physiological state and
requirements.
Affect growth, development
differential pubertal changes
and other metabolic
mechanism.
(2) Regulates biological /
circadian rhythms.
(a) Controls basal metabolic
rate (BMR). All organ /
system of body respond to
thyroxine.
(b)
Facilitates Ca+2 absorption
Ca+2 and PO–4 metabolism.
Anti-FSH and LH; delays
puberty
(i) Gluconeogenesis /
Glycogenolys
(ii) Glycogenesis
(iii) Gastric functions
(a) Stresses = emergency =
Fright, Fight and Flight
Hormone (3F) acclerates
cardiac functions muscle
activity etc.
(b) Electrolyte and
carbohydrate metabolism.
(a) Secondary sex character

(a) Ganulosa cells steroid, fat
soluble have sterol group derived
from cholesterol
(b) Corpus luteum
(c) Placenta temporary endocrine
gland formed during pregnancy
(10) Testis
(i) Sertoli cells
(=sustentacular cells)
(ii) Leydig cells
(=Interstitial cells)
(11) Gastro-intestinal hormones
(secreted by cells of mucosa of
stomach and intestine) also called
Notes on Human Hormones
Estrone, estradiol
Estrogen and Progesterone (Steroid)
(a) Steroid secreted are estrogen and
progesterone
(b) Relaxin-Polypeptide
Inhibin – Polypeptide
(ii) Estradiol-Steroid Androgens (e.g.
Testosterone) Steroid androstenedione) (i) Pubertal changes in
male
primary action on uterine
endometrium mitogenic.
(a) Secreted during luetal
phase of menstrual cycle in
human female and oestrous
cycle of other mammals.
Prepares uterine
endometrium for receiving
blastocytes for implantation.
Progesterone is also called
pregnancy hormone and is
anti-FSH and anti-LH/anti-
LTH.
(a) Maintenance of pregnant
state prevents lactogenesis
folliculogenesis, and
Ovulation.
(b) Act on pubic symphysis
and enlarges the birth canal
to facilitate birth. Acts
synergestically with
oxytocin during this process
(parturition)
Inhibits FHS action and
attenuates spermatogenesis
decrementally
(ii) Secy. sex characters in
male
(iii) Sex drives
(iv) Spermatogenesis
Stimulates gastric juices
secretion from gastric gland,
movement of sphincters of
 Notes on Human Hormones

hormones stomach and increased

movement of stomach

(a) Pyloric stomach (Argentophil Gastrin (i) Stimulates secretion of

cells) Intestine succus entericus
(i) Secreten
(ii) Bile released from gall
(ii) Cholecystokinin (CCK)
bladder
(iii) Enterogastrone
(iii) Inhibits gastric secretin
(iv) Duedocrinin
(iv) Stimulates secretion of
(v) Enterokinin mucous from Brunner's
(vi) Villikrinin gland
(v) Stimulate intestinal gland
(vi) Stimulate villi
movement